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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Christian Pulisic says he offered to play in USMNT friendlies</li><li>Manager Mauricio Pochettino declined</li><li>USMNT lost games against Turkey, Switzerland</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'They only wanted one roster' - USMNT star Christian Pulisic says Mauricio Pochettino declined offer to play in pre-Gold Cup friendlies

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Trinidad and Tobago

<p>Christian Pulisic <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/the-rondo-was-christian-pulisic-justified-in-skipping-the-gold-cup-who-are-the-biggest-question-marks-and-can-the-usmnt-win-the-tournament/blt19d68a6292b29753" target="_blank">opted to skip the Gold Cup</a> this summer, but the USMNT star says that he offered to play in June friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland but that coach Mauricio Pochettino declined. </p><p>"I did want to be a part of at least the two friendlies," Pulisic said on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/xw0coxfYPuo" target="_blank"><em>CBS Sports Golazo's</em></a><em> </em>Call It What You Want podcast. "I did speak with the coaches And I asked. And I wanted to be a part of the team in whatever capacity I could. And they said no, and that they only wanted one roster."</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Pulisic said he was surprised by Pochettino's response.</p><p>"It's the coach's decision, I fully respect that," he said. "I didn't understand it, but it is what it is... I had to make the best decision for myself, and in the long run my team - even if clearly some people haven't seen it that way."</p>

WHAT PULISIC SAID

<p>Pulisic's comments came in a wide-ranging interview in which the USMNT star addressed some of the criticism he's received after electing not to play in the Gold Cup this summer. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/christian-pulisic-usmnt-legend-landon-donovan-cristiano-ronaldo-ac-milan/blt8045eedf72e717d9" target="_blank">The attacking midfielder has been subject of heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike</a> for his decision to sit out the competition, which is set to take place over the next month.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The USMNT star has taken a week off, but revealed he will return to training next week. His Milan side are not participating in the Club World Cup, but they will play a handful of preseason friendlies across Asia in late July, starting with a game against Arsenal in Singapore on July 23. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

'They only wanted one roster' - USMNT star Christian Pulisic says Mauricio Pochettino declined offer to play in pre-Gold Cup friendlies | Goal.com

Pulisic said he wanted to play in fixtures with Turkey and Switzerland, but the USMNT coach &quot;said no&quot;

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